The son of former Taoiseach Mr Liam Cosgrave, who vied with Mr Jack Lynch for the highest political office in the land, joined in the tributes which were paid to him on all sides in the House.
Leas-Cathaoirleach Mr Liam Cosgrave said Mr Lynch had a long and distinguished service as a public representative, particularly during his time as Taoiseach. "I met him on a number of occasions, particularly in the 1970s. At all times he was most courteous and very interested in me and how I was doing. "He also enjoyed a very good personal relationship with my father, despite obvious political skirmishes, which are part and parcel of the game of politics. He was a man who gave politics a good name."
The leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, said Mr Lynch's most significant achievement as Taoiseach was to steer Ireland into the European Economic Community, paving the way for future prosperity. "I have fond memories of campaigning with him in the sweltering summer heat of 1977 in Castlepollard. His natural charisma and way with the people was almost like that of a movie star."
Mr Maurice Manning, Fine Gael leader in the House, said Mr Lynch was a profoundly decent man, honourable, straightforward and generous. "He did not particularly want to become Taoiseach but when he did , he was a good leader. He put the country first.
"He never pushed his own ambitions and deemed it a privilege to serve. He saw public life as an honour. Jack Lynch did a great deal to hold this country together when the Northern Troubles erupted.
"He showed steel in facing down powerful interests and had to endure the sneering and vilification of many powerful groups for many years because of the stand he took at that time. That stand was taken in the interests of all the people of this island and history will vindicate what he did in those difficult and dangerous days."
Like all Taoisigh before him, his lifestyle was simple. "He made no money from politics, nor did he seek to. His honesty and truthfulness was accepted by all parties. He was a man of his word."
Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) described Mr Lynch as a quintessential Corkman who stood for all that was good in Irish life. "He is a role model for public representatives in terms of commitment to the job of public representation."
Mr Joe Costello (Lab) said Mr Lynch had become Taoiseach in traumatic and controversial times and had shown enormous courage in the decisions he had taken in the interest of the entire island. When he relinquished the leadership, it was done with grace and decorum, as befitted a gentleman.
Miss Mairin Quill (PD) said Mr Lynch was the first of the post-Civil War leaders. "He came into politics when the bitterness of the Civil War was still rampant. Jack was the first Fianna Fail leader to ordain that a Fianna Fail minister could be present at the Michael Collins memorial in Beal na mBlath. That was typical of Jack - he was a unifying figure."
Mr John Dardis (PD), deputy Government leader in the House, said they were marking the death of a great Irishman, Corkman, sportsman, politician and republican, "a republican in the truest and best sense of the word and not the republicanism which has been devalued so badly over so many years."
Mr Peter Callanan (FF) said Mr Lynch was a shining example of a man who served well and led well. "The bells of Shandon when they toll will toll to a different tune this week."
Mr Dino Cregan (FG) said Cork and the State were quieter yesterday because of the loss of Jack Lynch, who had had a unique standing with the people of Cork, who had regarded him as the real Taoiseach.